why do catholics believe in Novena? What is the importance of Novena? Why believe in Novena?
2007-02-09 20:24:33 · 4 answers · asked by shraen 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A nine days' private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special graces. The octave has more of the festal character; to the novena belongs that of hopeful mourning, of yearning, of prayer. "The number nine in Holy Writ is indicative of suffering and grief" (St. Jerome, in Ezech., vii, 24; -- P.L., XXV, 238, cf. XXV, 1473). The novena is permitted and even recommended by ecclesiastical authority, but still has no proper and fully set place in the liturgy of the Church. It has, however, more and more been prized and utilized by the faithful. Four kinds of novenas can be distinguished: novenas of mourning, of preparation, of prayer, and the indulgenced novenas, though this distinction is not exclusive.
As Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, he told the apostles to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit. While waiting, they devoted themselves to prayer. (Acts 1:14) The Church celebrates the Ascension of Jesus on a Thursday and nine days later the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. The Church began to set aside prayer for nine days, or a novena, from the Latin word for "nine," in remembrance of those original nine days of prayer. But there is nothing magical about the number nine. We can pray for a special need for as many days as we wish.
God Bless You
2007-02-09 20:30:56 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Why does this bother you? Believe in whatever you want to believe in and let others believe in what they want to believe in.
2007-02-10 15:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by Mari76 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know they believe in Noxema
2007-02-10 04:33:52 · answer #3 · answered by Mullet Head 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Where there is money, they are.
2007-02-10 04:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋